Maiden America Friday: RT is all over 3yo Philipsburg, making second start in 3rd race at Gulfstream Park

Maiden America 3.18.22

Follow Me at @RtsSpot

Philipsburg Takes His Second Shot

Three year old Philipsburg, the Irish bred bay gelding by Caravaggio, gets his second start in the third race at Gulfstream today and is the 7/5 morning line favorite.

Costing $300,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, this Wesley Ward (47% last thirty days) trainee moves off the all weather track to turf today, which, given his breeding, should be welcome.

In his first race on Jan. 5, he stalked the favorite, Unsociable, from the four furlong mark until the wire, not giving up and conducting an effective lead change late, to just miss by a length. He scored an Equibase number of 85.

Since his last race, Philipsburg has had five works, including three impressive five furlong freshenings at Palm Meadows going :58.1, :58.5, & a Feb. 27 work of :59.6.

His main rivals are the $142K No Nay Franklin (6/1) and the $240K 1-Heat’s On Tap (9/2), and 3-True Jedi (8/1). No Nay Franklin, bred by Edgeridge Ltd. in Ireland is by No Nay Never, dad of graded stakes placed Brooke. His broodmare sire is by black type and French Derby winner, Dalakhani. Heat’s On Tap is by 13% first time turf sire, Ghostzapper and broodmare sire Unusual Heat. $190K True Jedi debuts for the Christopher Davis barn and is by Blue Grass and Tampa Derby winner and 9% winning first time starters on turf sire Carpe Diem. True Jedi has been working excellently for his bow getting :48 from the gate, a couple of 1:00 works and a smart :47.1 at Palm Meadows. Trainer/jockey a deadly 40% combo of late.

En fuego jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is in the irons for Philipsburg today.